Lawn sprinkler



Jan. 7, 1947. T s, MAI-TIN 2,414,1)52

LAWN SPRINKLER FiledAug. 27, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 1 Jan. 7, 1947.

LAWN SPRINKLER Filed-Aug. 27, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 T. s. MARTIN 2,414,052

vatentecl Jan. 7,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC E LAWN SPRINKLER Thomas S. Martin, Ferndale, Mich. Application August 27, 1945, Serial No. 612,847

This invention relates broadly to sprinklers and more particularly to sprinklers of the type adapted to spray a fluid substantially uniformly over an area having a predetermined outline which may be either circular or non-circular and either regular or irregular.

The present invention can be adapted to any indoor or outdoor sprinkling system but, for the purpose of illustration, is here shown and described as embodied in a lawn sprinkling system.

Most conventional lawn sprinklers are provided with sprayers which discharge Water in the form of a plurality of jets. These sp-rayers may be either stationary or rotatable, but in either event the jets are projected substantially equidistantly therefrom so that the spray covers a. substantially circular area. Sprinklers of this type are generally satisfactory, but they obviously cannot be used in narrow or irregularly shaped areas without considerable` waste of water. In the interest of efficiency and economy,` the sprinkler should spray the entire area uniformly but confine the spray to the area.

More recently, efforts have been made to devise sprayers which project the various jets different distances so that an areahaving a non-circular or irregular outline can be watered and in such manner that the spray is uniformly distributed over but conlined to the area. These latter type sprinklers are particularly eil'icacious when incorporated in underground sprinkling systems since in these systems, the individual sprinklers are permanently installed and the areas to be covered by each sprinkler can be denitely ascertained. Obviouslyl the areas `covered by the various sprinklers vary according to the location of the sprinkler in the system. In the case of small residences, Wherev one `centrally located sprinkler may be used to cover the entire yard, the outline of the area varies according to the shape of the house and lot and the location of the house on the lot.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a sprinkler that will uniformly spray an area of non-circular or irregular outline.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler of the above-mentioned character that includes an element for controlling the spray so that it is confined to the area being watered. p

Still another object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler of` the above-mentioned character in which the outline of the spray can be adapted to any particular area by uniquely shaping the spray control element.

13 Claims. (Cl. 299--18) 24p i Y Yet another objectof the invention is to provide a sprinkler of the "above-mentioned character in which the spray control `element is detachably mounted inthe sprinkler.

A further object of the invention is to provide A a sprinkler of the above-mentioned character in which all of the sprinkler parts except the spray control element may bestandardized.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description. i

In the drawings, forming a part of this specication and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a house and lot and showing a sprinkler embodying the present invention disposed substantially centrally in the portion of the lot extending forwardly of the house;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectionalview of the sprinkler, and showing the rotary sprayer in the lowered position which it normally occupies when the device is not in operation;

Fig. 3 is a view Ysimilar to Fig. 2 lbut showing the rotary sprayer'in the raised position which it occupies during operation of the device;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View through the sprayerV taken on the` line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig, 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figf, showing the sprayer and spray control element in elevation;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an extended or developed view of a spray control element; and,

Fig.A 8 is a perspective view of element.

Considered in certain of its broader aspects, the sprinkler comprisesia'valve casing which may be imbedded in the ground and is adapted for attachment to a water supply pipe. Mounted Within the casing is a sprayer having a plurality of iluid passages through which water is discharged from the casing. The sprayer is normally disposed below the top of the casing but fluid pressure in the casing rotatably drives the sprayer and `forces it upwardly so that the discharge orifices of the passages are positioned above the ground surface to Adirect the Water radially outwardly in the form of a plurality of jets. A` stationary range control band surrounds the sprayer vwithin the casing and contro-ls the inlet orices of the passa es when the sprayer is inthe raised position. f the inlet orifices have identical cross-secthe spray control the particular area.

tional areas and are positioned in alignment around the` circumference of the sprayer, and the lower edge of the range control band is rectilinear so that it reduces the cross-sectional area of each orice by an equal amount, all of the jets will be of the same length and a substantially circular area will be watered. However, if instead of being rectilinear the lower edge of the range control band is irregular and formed with a downward extension, Vthe cross-sectional areas of the inlet orifices are successively reduced as they rotate to a position behind the extension. Consequently, the jet from the outlet of each passage is reduced in length as its inlet orice moves into register with the extension. If the extension is formed with straight sides the jets will be abruptly shortened. On the other hand, if the extension is formed with a curved edge, so that in effect it constitutes a downward bulge or swell in the range control band, the jets will be gradually shortened and then lengthened as the inlet orifices move into and out of register therewith. Thus, by properly shaping the lower edge of the range control band and correctly positioning it in the casing the length of the jets can be continually controlled and made to follow the outline of an area of substantially any predetermined shape. Moreover, if the size and shape of the area to be watered is known, together with the location of the sprinkler in the area, a range -control band can be fashioned that will adapt the spray to From the foregoing it will be readily appreciated that the shape of the band depends entirely upon the outline of the particular area to be watered.

The range control band is preferably made fromlight-weight sheet metal and is removably mounted in the casing. All the other parts of the sprinkler are standardized and from a commercial standpoint, this is very important. Except for the range control bands, the sprinklers can be made relatively inexpensively by mass production methods. If the manufacturer is informed with respect to the size and shape of the area to be sprinkled, he can easily determine the best location for the sprinkler and devise a range control band that will adapt the sprinkler to the area. Thus, only the range control band must be specially fabricated.

For a more complete description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings wherein the numeral I designates a hollow valve casing. The open upper end of casing I0 is provided with a removable cap I2 and the lower end thereof is formed with a centrally located downward extension I4 which is provided with external screw threads I6. As best shown in Figs. 1-3, the casing IU is adapted to be imbedded in the ground preferably with the cap I2 substantially flush with the ground surface I8 and the extension I4 is screwed into a pipe tting 2U provided at the outer end of an underground water supply pipe 22. In Fig. 1, the casing is shown disposed substantially centrally in the yard 24 of a residence or other building 26 and pipe 22,is shown attached to a conventional sillcock 23 through which water from the city main is supplied to the sprinkler casing.

Mounted for rotation and limited vertical movement in the casing I0 is a sprayer which is designated generally by the numeral 30. The upper portion of the sprayer projects through an opening 32 provided centrally in the cap I 2 and the lower portion thereof is disposed in thev cas- 1ng I0 and within an annular extension 34 on the cap. A leather washer 38 which seats upwardly against the cap I2 within the extension 3i and snugly ts the sprayer 3i) provides a watertight joint between the cap and sprayer and seals the opening 32. The sprayer 39 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed vertical passages iii and 42. At their lower ends the passages lid and 42 are `provided with relatively narrow, vertically elongated lateral extensions 3ft and 45, respectively, which open through the side wall of the sprayer 3) and constitutes inlet orifices through which water in the casing is admitted to the passages. At their upper ends passages lil and l2 are provided with upwardly and outwardly inclined portions d8 and 50 which constitute discharge orifices through which water is projected in the form of concentrated streams or jets. The lateral extensions 48 and 5l! are preferably disposed at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to throw the water asubstantial distance from the sprinkler.

While the sprayer is here shown provided with a pair of fluid discharge passages, it is to be understood that it may be formed with any desired number of passages depending upon the distance the jets are to be projected from the sprayer. Since water is supplied to the casing at substantially a constant pressure, the jets will be projected a maximum distance from the sprinkler if only one passage is provided and progressively lesser distances as the number of passages is increased.

A fiuid pressure actuated driving rotor 52 is attached to the lower end of sprayer 3) by a threaded stud 513. The rotor comprises a horizon.- tally elongated head 55 formed with a tubular shank 56 which is mounted for vertical sliding movement in an opening 58 provided centrally in the bottom of casing I 0. The projecting end of the shank extends into an enlarged recess iin and carries a nut GI which engages the top of the recess to limit upward movement of the rotor and sprayer. As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the central passage 62 of the shank communicates at its upper end with a horizontal passage 64 in head 55. The latter passage is substantially S-shaped and its ends open through the head substantially in opposite directions.

When the supply of water to the sprinkler is shut off, the driving rotor E2 and sprayer 3d are in the lowered, inoperative position shown in Fig. 2. In this position, rotor head 55 seats on the bottom of the casing Iii while sprayer 30 is disposed iiush with the cap I2 and with outlets 43 and '5B covered by the wall of opening 32. In this connection, the cap I2 is preferably formed with a centrally located boss 1E) which projects above the ground surface i8 to prevent dirt and the like from entering passages 4i! and 42. Boss 'l0 provides additional vbearing surface for the Asprinkler and also forms a nut by means of which the cap I 2 can be tightened or loosened on the casing.

When sillcock 28 is open so that water under pressure is supplied to the sprinkler, water discharges into the casing I in two oppositely d1- rected vstreams through the `ends of passage Il and rotatably drives rotor 52 and sprayer 3f). Water in the casing I9 also lifts the ro-tor 52 and sprayer 30 from the lowered or inoperative position shown in Fig. 2 to raised operative position shown in Fig. 3. In this position of the sprayer, discharge orifices 48 and 58 are uncovered so that water escapes from the casing l 0 through passages Il@ and 42 and is projected therefrom in oppositely directed jets. Rapid rotation of the sprayer tends .5 n to break up the jets 'and distribute the water more or less uniformly over the area being sprinkled.

The distance the jets of Water are projected from the sprinkler is controlledbya range control ring or band l4ginterposedbetween the roltatable sprayer 3!) and the stationary extension 34 on the cap I2 which closely surrounds the enlarged lower end portion of sprayer 3G. The range control band 'M is formed with a radial lug 'IE which projects through a longitudinal slot 18 in the tubular extension 34 above the split ring 80. `The latter seats in an annular groove 32 in the extension 34 and holds the range control band in proper vertical position with respect to the Water inlets 44 and, 45. It will be readily apparent that the slot 18 fixedly positions the range control band 14 circumferentially on the extension 34 and that the ring 88 can easily beV disengaged from the eXtenthe volume of water entering passages and 42.

The manner in which the range control band 'I4 functions continually to control the length of the jets of water projected from the sprayer has been described in detail and it will be apparent that, if the band is properly shaped, the jets will follow the outline of the yard 24 as the sprayer 3D rotates. The numerals beside the dotted lines which extend radially from the sprinkler in Fig. 1 indicate the relative distances from the sprinkler of various points on the edge of yard 24;

As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the range control band is preferably made from a strip of relatively thin sheet metal, the lug 16 being fashioned from tabs 84 and 85 formed integrally on the ends of the strip. In Fig. 7, the band is shown in the extended or developed position and in Fig. 8 it is shown fully formed and ready for mounting in the sprinkler casing. It will be noted that when fully formed the band is substantially circular in transverse section and the tabs 84 and 86 are positioned together and bent to extend radially from the body of the band.

It is to be understood that the form of the in vention herewith shown and described is to b-e taken as a preferred example of same and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A sprinkler comprising a hollow body provided with a fluid inlet; a sprayer mounted for rotation in said body and provided with a plurality of apertures through which fluid is discharged from the body; a stationary range control band in the body coactive with said sprayer to control said apertures; and means detachably securing said range control band to the body.

2. A sprinkler comprising a hollow body provided with a fluid inlet; a sprayer mounted for rotation in said body and provided with a plurality of apertures through which fluid is discharged from the body; a stationary range control band in the body coactive With said sprayer to control the apertures; and a mounting for said range control band including a stationary support; and means for detachably fastening the range control band to said support.

3. A sprinkler comprising a hollow body provided with a fluid inlet; a sprayer mounted for rotation in `said body and provided with a plu#v rality of apertures through which fluid is discharged from the body; a stationary range control bandin the body coactive with said sprayer to control the apertures; and a mounting for said range control band including a stationary support interengaging with parts of the range control band to hold thelatter against movement in one direction, and catch means carried by the support and coacting with the range control band to hold it against movement in another direction.

4. A sprinkler comprising a hollow body provided with a fluid inlet; a sprayer mounted for rotation in said body and provided with a plurality of apertures through which fluid is discharged from the body; a stationary range controlxband in the bodycoactive with the sprayer to control said apertures; and a mounting for said range control band including a slotted stationary support, a` lug on the range control band disposed in said slot, and a catch carried by the supportand coacting with the lug to hold the same in the slot.

5. A sprinkler comprising a hollowbody provided with a fluid inlet; a sprayer mounted for rotation in said body and provided With an annular series of apertures through which `fluid is discharged from the body; a stationary control band mountedvwithin the body and surrounding the sprayer so that one edge thereof controls said apertures; an annular supportA surrounding the range control band; `and means for d-etachably fastening the range control band to said support.

6. A sprinkler comprising a hollow body provided With a uid inlet; a sprayer mounted for rotation in said body and provided with an annular series of apertures through which fluid is discharged from the body; a stationary range control band mounted within the body and surrounding the sprayer so that one edge thereof controls said apertures; an annular support surrounding the range control band, said support interengaging with parts of the range control band to hold the latter against rotative movement; and catch means carried by the support and coactive with the range control band to hold it against axial movement.

'7. A sprinkler comprising a hollow body provided with a fluid inlet; a sprayer mounted for rotation in said body and provided with an annular series of apertures through which fluid is discharged from the body; a stationary range control band mounted Within the body and surrounding the sprayer so that one edge thereof controls said apertures; a slotted annular support surrounding the range control band; a lug on the range control band disposed 1n said slot; and a catch carried by the support and coacting with the lug to hold the same in said slot.

8. A sprinkler comprising a hollow body provided With a fluid inlet; a uid pressure actuated sprayer mounted for rotation and limi-ted vertical movement in the body, said sprayer provided with ka plurality of apertures through which fluid is discharged from the body; and a stationary range control band removably mounted in the body around the sprayer, the lower edge of the band controlling now of uid through `the apertures when said sprayer is in the raised position.

9. A sprinkler comprising a, hollow body provided With a fluid inlet; a fluid pressure actuated 'sprayer mounted for rotation and limited vertical 7 control band disposed inthe body and around the sprayer, the lower edge of the band controlling flow of fluid through the apertures when vsaid sprayer is in the raised position; and means for detachably securing the range control band.v in .the body.

10. A sprinkler comprising a hollow body provided with a fluid inlet; a iiuid pressure actuated sprayer mounted for rotation and limited vertical movement in the body, said sprayer provided with a plurality of apertures through which fluid is discharged from the body; a stationary range control band disposed in the body and around the sprayer, the lower edgeof the band controlling flow of uid through the apertures when said sprayer is in the raised position; and a mounting for said range `control band'includingfa stationary Support and means detachably fastening the range control band to said support.

1l. A sprinkler comprising a hollow body provided with a fluid inlet; ay iiuid pressure actuated sprayer mounted for rotation and limited vertical movement in the body, said sprayer provided with a plurality of apertures through which fluid is discharged from the body; a stationary range control band disposed in the body and around 4the sprayer, the lower edge of the band controlling flow of uid through the apertures when said sprayer is in the raised position; a slotted annular support for said range control band; a lug on the range control band extending through a slot in said support; and catch means engaging said lug to hold the range control band detachably secured to the support.

12. A sprinkler comprising a hollow bodyy pro- FED vided with a ui'd inlet; a, uid pressure actuated sprayer mounted for rotation and limited vertical movement in the body, said sprayer provided with a plurality of apertures through which fluid is discharged from the body; a stationary range control band disposed in the body and around the sprayer, the lower edge of the band controlling ow of fluid .through the apertures when said sprayer is in the raised position; an annular support for the range control band, said support having a free lower edge and a vertical slot opening through and extending upwardly from said lower edge; a lug on the range control band pro jecting through said slot; and catch means engaging said lug to hold the range control band detachably secured to the support.

13. A sprinkler comprising a hollow body provided with a fluid inlet; a uid pressure actuated sprayer mounted for rotation and limited vertical movement in the body, said sprayer provided with a plurality of apertures through which fluid is discharged from the body; a stationary range control band disposed in the body and around the sprayer, the lower edge of the band controlling flow of uid through the apertures when said sprayer is in the raised position; an annular support for the range ycontrol band, said support having a free lower edge and a vertical slot opening through and extending upwardly from said lower edge; a lug on the range control band projecting through said slot; and a split ring around the support below the projecting end of the lug holding the range control band detachably associated with .the support.

THOMAS S. MARTIN. 

